ES2811508T3 - Mask for underwater use, particularly of the full-face type, provided with a communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

Diving mask of the so-called full face type comprising a transparent visor (2), a frame or strap (3), a seal preferably made of rubber adapted to ensure the watertight seal and straps (4) suitable for adjusting the mask on the face, such part of the face of the mask being associated with a breathing tube (5) which fits into the upper part of the mask and which allows the flow of air to enter the compartment formed between the frame and the visor, being the path of the air during the inspiration phase and that of the expiration phase, both in the mask and in the tube, different from each other, the tube being made with separate ducts for inspired and expired air, and being made the interior of the mask with two compartments, an upper frontal one (6) and a lower oronasal one (7), separated by a partition wall, the internal route of the mask allows the inspired air to be introduced from the tube into the compartment nto frontal and then in the oronasal and that the expired air from the oronasal compartment rises to the tube, where the diving mask comprises - a microphone that is advantageously positioned in the vicinity of the exhalation duct of the tube, - a headset (104 ) connected to such main body through a flexible tube (105), - an antenna adapted to communicate with devices of the same type mounted on other masks, characterized in that it comprises a communication device that includes a main body (101) equipped with an electronic board and having fastening means (103) to be fastened to the upper part of the tube (5).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Mask for underwater use, in particular of the full-face type, provided with a communication device The present invention relates to a mask for underwater use, in particular of the full-face type, provided with a mouthpiece to allow the wearer to breathe with the head under the surface of the water, provided with a communication device.

Masks for underwater use, also known as diving masks, comprise a rubber or silicone part or frame that adheres to the user's face by means of at least one strap that wraps around the user's head and at least one transparent part, generally made of glass or plexiglass, capable of allowing underwater vision and canceling the refractive phenomenon that causes blurred underwater vision. The glass and rubber frame at least partially insulate in a waterproof way from the underwater environment, allowing a correct view.

Two types of masks in particular are widely used in underwater activities: a first type that covers eyes and nose, and a second type known as a full face mask, which covers the entire face, including the mouth. This second type of mask comprises a transparent visor, a frame or strap, a seal made of rubber adapted to ensure the watertight seal, and suitable straps to fit the mask on the face. Such part of the face of the mask is associated with a breathing nozzle that fits into the upper part of the frame and that allows air flow to enter the compartment formed between the frame and the visor.

The path of the air during the inspiration phase and that of the expiration phase are advantageously different from each other.

For this purpose, inside the mask there are two compartments, a main upper one in the area of the user's eyes and cheekbones and another oronasal that is associated with the user's nose and mouth. These compartments are separated by a partition wall provided with air valves.

The fresh inhaled air reaches the main compartment of the mask through the tube, flows over the transparent part or visor, passes through the wall through the valves mentioned above and reaches the oronasal compartment to be breathed.

The air exhaled through the mouth or nose does not leave the oronasal compartment, because the valves in the partition wall prevent it, but rather reaches the tube through a peripheral exhalation duct of the mask.

The tube itself is made with separate ducts for inspired and expired air fitted with appropriate directional valves.

In this way, the disadvantage of fogging the mask is known, because only the fresh air from the outside flows over the transparent part while the exhausted air leaves the mask without passing through the facial area of the same.

A mask of this type is described in patent application EP3153400 in the name of the same applicant.

It is also known to provide such masks with a communication device, for example, as described in patent application WO2016170253. In particular, said patent application describes a full face mask in which a communication device mounted at least partially on the tube is installed.

The communication device comprises at least one microphone, a loudspeaker, an ultrasonic antenna and a control button panel.

This device is characterized by having a removable connector that is interposed between the strap (or frame) of the mask and the base of the tube. In said removable connector there is present at least the communication device and in particular at least one loudspeaker of the device.

In this way, by extracting the connector separating the tube from the frame, it is possible to completely extract the device from the mask, or it is possible to equip a conventional mask of the full-face type with a communication device through said removable connector.

The applicant has observed that this assembly procedure can be laborious and complicated, and in that case the connector can damage both the tube and the frame of the mask.

With the present invention, the applicant proposes an improvement in the positioning of the communication device that also simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the mask.

These and other purposes according to the present invention are achieved by a diving mask as set forth in claim 1.

Other characteristics of the diving mask are the subject of the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of a diving mask according to the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description, referred to the attached schematic drawings, where:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a diving mask according to the present invention, in particular of the full-face type;

figure 2 is a side view of a diving mask according to the present invention, in particular of the full-face type;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the communication device of the mask according to the present invention.

With reference to the figures mentioned above, a so-called full-face type diving mask is shown comprising a transparent visor 2, a frame or strap 3, a seal preferably made of rubber capable of ensuring the watertight seal and strapping 4 suitable for fitting the mask on the face.

Said part of the face of the mask is associated with a breathing tube 5 that fits into the upper part of the mask and that allows air flow to enter the compartment formed between the frame and the visor.

The path of the air during the inspiration phase and that of the expiration phase both in the mask and in the tube are advantageously different from each other.

The tube for this purpose is made with separate ducts for the inspired and expired air.

Preferably, the inhalation conduit is placed in a central position and there are two exhalation conduits positioned next to the central inhalation conduit.

One-way valves (not shown) are positioned substantially at the top of these ducts that allow air to pass only in the desired direction.

Also in order to create differentiated routes inside the mask, two compartments are obtained, a main upper one 6 in the area of the user's eyes and cheekbones and another oronasal 7 that is associated with the user's nose and mouth.

Said compartments are separated by a partition wall 41, made in association with the seal and provided with at least one housing for at least one one-way valve for the passage of air from the main compartment to the oronasal compartment. Advantageously, there are two valves arranged laterally in a symmetrical position with respect to a vertical center line plane passing through the mask.

In said center line plane in a lower portion of the oronasal compartment a valve 41 is obtained for the outflow of liquid from the compartment mentioned above if the water inadvertently penetrates into the interior of the mask.

The fresh inhaled air reaches the main compartment of the mask through the tube, flows over the transparent part or visor, passes through the wall through the valves mentioned above and reaches the oronasal compartment to be breathed.

The air exhaled through the mouth or nose does not leave the oronasal compartment, because the valves in the partition wall prevent it, but rather reaches the tube according to the present invention through a peripheral exhalation passage of the mask.

Said path comprises a pair of peripheral channels 21 and 22 obtained at the edge of the viewer, preferably substantially in the shape of a "U" which, when the viewer is associated with the seal, are closed by a flat annular edge of the seal, forming as many peripheral conduits for exhaled air. These channels extend from the upper part of the visor where coupling means are present for coupling the mask to the tube, made in the form of a housing 23 for fitting said tube, to beyond the position in which the separation wall 41 between the two compartments is attached to the visor itself. This is to prevent the exhalation lines from communicating with the first compartment.

The means for coupling the mask to the tube also determines the coupling of the respective exhalation passages of the tube and the mask. The inhalation passage of the tube ends directly in the main upper compartment 6.

The channel obtained in the viewer and closed by the seal is a substantially non-deformable channel; This ensures an optimal outflow of the exhaled air in any condition and regardless of the size of the user's face. Likewise, both the channel and the fitting for the tube are obtained in the visor, this determines an ease of construction of the strap that becomes a simple loop, provided only with closures 31 for the straps 4 that maintain the assembly of the mask. The only complex element to be manufactured in the mask remains the visor, which however can be molded in a conventional way, avoiding the gas insufflation procedure that was used in known masks to manufacture the channel in the seal.

According to the present invention, this mask and full-face masks in general that have similar characteristics can be associated with a communication device 100 comprising a main body 101 provided with an electronic board and preferably with a control button panel 102 The main body has clamping means at the top of the tube 6 comprising an open sleeve 103 which is clamped onto said tube. A microphone is present in the main body which is advantageously positioned in the vicinity of the exhalation conduit of the tube, in particular in the vicinity of its upper end. This makes it easier for the microphone itself to detect voice vibrations from the exhalation line. Likewise, the microphone is advantageously encapsulated in the body 100 and protected by a speech diaphragm that makes it possible to capture the sound wave coming from the tube (from the lateral exhalation segments of the tube) through a transporter 106 obtained laterally in the body. The diaphragm isolates the electronics present in the body from the water and at the same time is capable of capturing the audio with its vibration and transferring it to the interior, where the microphone is present.

Also provided in this body is an antenna adapted to communicate with devices of the same type mounted on other masks.

Preferably, four communication channels are provided with as many frequencies that can be selectively operated.

An earphone 104 is connected to said main body through a flexible tube 105, in order to be able to position the earpiece itself indistinctly on the right or left ear. Tube 105 is flexible but semi-rigid and, therefore, can be shaped to position it at the most suitable point without creating inconvenience with accessories that would act on the pinna.

A rechargeable battery is also present inside the main body. The headset hose is removably connected to the main body (for example via a bayonet coupling and a micro USB plug), so that the main unit battery can be charged, for example via the same micro USB plug.

The button panel preferably comprises three buttons, respectively the on / off button, the volume increase button V + and the volume decrease button V-.

Also, a plurality of indicator lights 106 are provided on the body, for example four LEDs which can indicate, respectively, the selected channel when the unit is turned on.

For example, they may flash serially three times when the unit is on, indicating the listening volume level only for the duration of the button press.

They also indicate the battery charge status when the V + and V- buttons are pressed simultaneously when the unit is on. Lastly, they flash in series continuously when the unit is charging and turn off when charging is complete.

Claims (11)

1. Diving mask of the so-called full-face type comprising a transparent visor (2), a frame or strap (3), a seal preferably made of rubber adapted to ensure the watertight seal and suitable straps (4) to adjust the mask on the face, such part of the face of the mask being associated with a breathing tube (5) that fits into the upper part of the mask and that allows air flow to enter the compartment formed between the frame and the visor, the air path during the inspiration phase and the expiration phase, both in the mask and in the tube, being different from each other, the tube being made with separate conduits for the inspired and expired air, and The interior of the mask being made up of two compartments, an upper front one (6) and a lower oronasal one (7), separated by a partition wall, the inner path of the mask provides that the inspired air is introduced from the tube into the share front and then in the oronasal and that the exhaled air from the oronasal compartment rises up to the tube, where the diving mask comprises • a microphone that is advantageously positioned in the vicinity of the exhalation duct of the tube, • an earphone (104) connected to such main body through a flexible tube (105), • an antenna adapted to communicate with devices of the same type mounted on other masks, characterized in that it comprises a communication device that includes a main body (101) equipped with an electronic board and that has holding means (103) to hold onto the upper part of the tube (5). Mask according to claim 1, in which said fastening means comprise an open sleeve (103) which is clamped onto said tube. Mask according to claim 1, in which the microphone is positioned in the vicinity of the upper end of the exhalation conduit. 4. Mask according to claim 1, in which the microphone is advantageously encapsulated in the body and protected by a speech diaphragm that makes it possible to capture the sound wave from the tube through a transporter (106) obtained laterally on the same body. Mask according to claim 1, in which the main body is equipped with a control button panel (102). Mask according to claim 1, in which a rechargeable battery is contained within the main body. Mask according to claim 1, in which the flexible tube of the earphone is removably connected to the main body by means of a bayonet coupling and a micro USB plug, to be able to charge the battery of the main unit through it. micro USB plug. 8. Mask according to claim 1, wherein the button panel comprises three buttons, an on / off button, a volume increase button V + and a volume decrease button V-, respectively. Mask according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of indicator lights (106) are provided on the main body. Mask according to claim 9, in which said indicator lights are four LEDs that can indicate, respectively, the selected channel when the unit is switched on. Mask according to claim 1, in which four selectively operable channels are provided to communicate with the same number of frequencies.